After making the call, Liu Laogen felt a little relieved and hurriedly rushed back.
Zhang Hongmei strolled around the village and felt a sense of unease. She couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, but something just felt off.
"Brother Zhang, is there anything out of place in the village?"
"I don't think the road is suitable."
"I see. But it would be much better if the road were built on top of it."
Zhang Shouyi remained silent. Just now you felt disheartened, and now you've remembered this path again? It's better not to say anything. Whatever she wants, as long as she's happy.
The two then returned to Liu Maocai's house. The courtyard became lively.
It turned out that Da Shan's mother and Hu Aifen had arrived. The three women were cooking, while Gu Chuanming and his two companions were arguing heatedly in the yard.
Zhang Shouyi smiled and glanced at Zhang Hongmei, realizing that his wife's concerns were justified.
Jinsong sat next to Zhang Xingguo, looking helpless like a little adult.
Zhang Hongmei pulled Zhang Shouyi and the other man quickly into the house, unwilling to get involved in their affairs.
Several photos were hanging in the living room. "Hehe, Brother Jianguo must be married. This girl is quite pretty."
"It can't compare to my wife's role."
"Hehe, Brother Zhang, is it really okay for you to say that?"
"What's wrong with it? I'm telling the truth."
"Wow, Stone is so handsome now? I reckon they'll be back this week."
“You left a letter, they will definitely come back.”
Honey, I'm leaving right after dinner tonight. I was wondering, if you really are pregnant, would you have to stay here for three months?
"No. I said one month and I mean one month. If it doesn't work, we won't travel anymore. I'm fine."
Zhang Shouyi was a bit conflicted. Of course, he wanted his wife to go back and stay with him, but he was also worried that she might not feel well on the way.
"Don't overthink it, I'll handle everything here. You go back today, and I'll go to the city tomorrow to see the teacher. We might be able to bring Shi Tou San Ya back."
"Wife, aren't you upset that I can't be with you?"
"Brother Zhang, what's wrong with you today? I knew you were this busy the moment I saw you, right? What am I complaining about?"
Zhang Shouyi suddenly hugged Zhang Hongmei and said, "My wife is so understanding and considerate."
Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes at him. Honestly, why is he so sensitive?
"Auntie, Uncle, dinner's ready!"
"Great, are your grandpa and the others still playing?"
Jingsong shook his head. "I'm not playing anymore. The two old men have agreed to play chess at our house after dinner." The child sighed, full of helplessness.
Zhang Hongmei was amused by Jinsong's expression. "You can go play with your friends this afternoon!"
“I’m not going. I don’t know any of them. Besides, I’ve never played with them before.”
Zhang Hongmei felt a little sorry for the child, but he knew he had to adapt on his own.
The three arrived at the dining room, which Liu Maocai had built himself; it was exceptionally spacious.
There were already several cold dishes on the table. There were also fried dough twists. Zhang Hongmei made one and thought it tasted just like she remembered. She then made another one and put it in Zhang Shouyi's mouth, and gave one to Jinsong as well.
Zhang Shouyi really couldn't understand it; it was just fried salty noodles with no other flavor. But seeing his wife's satisfied expression, he thought it must be delicious.
On the table were also braised pig's head, pig tongue, pig ears, pig liver, pig heart, and pig lungs, all sliced and arranged on a plate.
"Hehe, today is a whole pig feast, but I'll have to eat a pig's trotter later."
Zhang Shouyi thought to himself, "You just said you didn't want to smell meat, but now you want to gnaw on pig's trotters?"
The three elderly people also came in; Liu Maocai had gone to fetch the old lady but hadn't returned yet.
"Chengzi, go home and get two bottles of good wine."
Zhang Hongmei didn't stop him; the old man was quite sensible and would never overindulge in alcohol.
The old lady came over, and everyone sat around the table. The stir-fried dishes were served. The braised pork was served in a large bowl.
Furthermore, Liu Maocai also sent Zhang Shouyi's bodyguards a large bowl of rice and a large bowl of braised pork, which meant he was going to overfeed them.
There are also steamed buns with red bean filling today. Zhang Hongmei hasn't had them in a long time. They're soft, fluffy, and sweet.
"Auntie, I want to eat pig's trotters."
"I'll serve it to you right away. You can have whatever you want to eat."
Zhang Shouyi didn't drink, partly because he didn't like it, and partly because he was afraid of offending his wife with the smell, as he was leaving that evening and wanted to spend more time with her that afternoon.
Liu Maocai also prepared wine. The three old men drank good wine, while Liu Maocai, Liu Aimin, and Da Shan's father drank ordinary wine.
Zhang Hongmei didn't care about this, but she told the three elderly people not to drink too much.
Gnawing on the mushy pig's trotters, I found them especially delicious.
Zhang Shouyi kept observing Zhang Hongmei and was relieved to see that she was not feeling unwell.
The old lady had bad teeth, so the braised pork was stewed until it was very tender.
After dinner, the three elderly people went back to continue playing chess, while Hu Aifen and her daughter-in-law accompanied the old lady home.
Seeing Zhang Hongmei yawning incessantly, Zhang Shouyi took her hand and the two went home to rest.
Everyone knew that Zhang Shouyi was leaving today, so Li Cuihua specifically told them to come over for dumplings that evening.
"Brother Zhang, I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up in an hour."
Zhang Shouyi lay on the kang with Zhang Hongmei in his arms, thinking to himself, "Why did I wake you up? I already know that pregnant women should sleep more."
With his wife nestled in his arms on the warm kang (heated brick bed), Zhang Shouyi soon fell asleep.
However, he didn't sleep well and kept having dreams about his past life. Some of the dreams were blurry, but this time he understood them all.
Upon waking, he couldn't help but look at his wife. He wondered if it was a blessing from heaven or a stolen happiness, but whatever the reason, he had found the woman he loved in this life.
He didn't want to wake Zhang Hongmei. He got off the kang (heated brick bed) himself and gave instructions to Lu Jing and the others.
"Nothing is more important than their safety."
"He's the leader."
"Also, try to minimize the contact between Madam and unfamiliar people in the village."
After giving them instructions, he then summoned Chengzi. "If the old chief doesn't listen, go directly to Madam. Don't keep it from her."
"yes!"
After giving his instructions, Zhang Shouyi went back inside. His wife was still sleeping soundly. He took off his shoes, climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), and held her close, lost in thought. This time, while his wife was away, he could take the opportunity to tidy up, so that when she returned in a month, he could finally spend time with her.
Seeing this, it's clear my wife is really pregnant. It's impossible not to be happy, but I'm also worried. When I go back this time, I need to find two experienced people to take care of her.
The family is all men; they don't understand these things at all. Would you feel at ease knowing someone is taking care of her?
I've been thinking about all sorts of things. It's been two hours already. Should I wake her up? Otherwise, she might feel uncomfortable when she wakes up.
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